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Tennessee football: 10 Vols who should be in CFB Hall of Fame

By Caleb Calhoun

Oct 10, 2009; Knoxville, TN, USA; Tennessee Volunteers cornerback Eric Berry (14) celebrates with his family following their defeat of the Georgia Bulldogs at Neyland Stadium. Tennessee defeated Georgia 45-19. Mandatory Credit: Paul Abell-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 10, 2009; Knoxville, TN, USA; Tennessee Volunteers cornerback Eric Berry (14) celebrates with his family following their defeat of the Georgia Bulldogs at Neyland Stadium. Tennessee defeated Georgia 45-19. Mandatory Credit: Paul Abell-USA TODAY Sports /
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Tennessee cornerback Eric Berry (14) points to the sky before kickoff against Florida on Sept. 19, 2009 at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, Fla.Utfla 12103 Atb 28
Tennessee cornerback Eric Berry (14) points to the sky before kickoff against Florida on Sept. 19, 2009 at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, Fla.Utfla 12103 Atb 28 /

Pick Analysis. Defensive back. 2007-09. 1. player. Scouting Report. 839. Eric Berry

Very little explanation for Eric Berry is required as a two-time All-American in 2008 and 2009 and the 2009 Thorpe Award winner with Tennessee football.

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The other Tennessee football player on the 2023 College Football Hall of Fame ballot who should have already been voted in, Eric Berry meets the same standard John Henderson meets. He was a two-time All-American and won a national award, in his case the Thorpe Award, for the nation’s best defensive back.

Honestly, you could make a case for Henderson above Berry. However, what takes the cake for Berry is that he was a three-year starter and he also should have won the Thorpe Award two years in a row. It was given to Malcolm Jenkins of the Ohio State Buckeyes in 2008.

Also, Berry was just short of the interception return yardage career record after just two seasons as the Vols’ strong safety, but Monte Kiffin’s Cover-2 pushed him up more toward the line in 2009. That combined with leaving after just three years on the job are why he didn’t break it.

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Either way, Berry was a legend for Tennessee football, and while it’s not reflective of his college career, he’s also a great story, as he beat Hodgkins Lymphoma in the NFL. A great leader and everybody’s favorite player when he was on campus, it was egregious that he wasn’t immediately voted into the Hall when on the ballot. He deserves to be in this year.

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